Tuesday 29^th September 2015

We discovered why we were unable to check in until today – the Policeman, Timothy, was actually off island and due to arrive back on the flight this afternoon.  Apparently he is usually here all the time, but we just happened to have chosen to arrive when he had been off in Port Vila for a few days.

The little plane arrived at the airstrip on Mystery Island, and we went ashore to wait at the Police station for Timothy to arrive. 

Rod & Mary waiting patiently for the Policeman to check us in.

After what seemed an age, he eventually arrived, and after a couple of trips back to the beach to collect his luggage and parcels, completed the formalities.  It cost 10,000 vatu, around £60, half of which was the charge for being allowed to check in at a port that is not an official Port of Entry.  We had chosen to do this as it saved us a great deal of inconvenience.

With the formalities completed, we are now free to cruise the islands of Vanuatu.   As a cruise ship is due here tomorrow, it seems a good time to move on to an anchorage on the north coast of this island in preparation for the passage the following day to Tanna, the next island 40 nmiles away to the north.